Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Dark Light

I took the dog for a long walk around the local meadows tonight and the warm but fading light was just so beautiful against the cold blue greens in the trees but the fields were still bathed in that same eery light. We do get some wonderful sunsets and sunrises here in Cambridgeshire and, though I often moan about the lack of hills, I know I would definitely miss the vast stunning skies. I made a quick pastel sketch of the colours I had seen when I got home. The composition is part visual memory, part imagination. When I get my pastel box, I can take them all out with me and do some more like this - I can't wait. One day I'll get to Stonehenge to see the Summer Solstice sunrise.. Oh well, maybe I'll be there next year. Now, where did I put that druid  gown :)





And finally, Renske asked to see a picture of my Loxley four tray pastel box. Here it is with two of the four trays taken out. I don't have a lot of pastels at the moment, and they are so expensive, so it will be a long time before I fill this up! My lovely wise old cat Tom is being his usual self  and trying to look cute by posing for the photo !


Posted by at 23:54
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17 comments:

  1. Judy22 June 2011 at 08:26

    Maybe no hills, but those skies are fantastic! Wonderful impression!

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  2. Unknown22 June 2011 at 09:11

    Thanks, Judy. I'm sure you must get some spectacular skies in the Netherlands too. I live just on the edge of the Fens which are sometimes referred to as 'Little Holland' :)

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  3. Anonymous22 June 2011 at 09:54

    This is wonderfull. Lovely colours. Do you have beside an aquarel (sketching) bag also a pastel (sketching) bag? Or do you change the contents of the bag every time?

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  4. Unknown22 June 2011 at 10:04

    Thank you, Renske. No, I do not take pastels out with me. They would take up too much space in their boxes and they are far too delicate and expensive to replace. However, I have just purchased a proper wooden box which should allow me to store and carry all of them safely and sketch outside with them too :)

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  5. Sandra Busby22 June 2011 at 20:12

    What a gorgeous and atmospheric sketch! Did you use oil pastels? I am hopeless with those! I find soft pastels lovely to use but very messy!

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  6. Unknown22 June 2011 at 20:48

    Hi, Sandra and thank you for your lovely comment! No, I don't have any oil pastels at all .. yet;) This was done mainly with Sennelier soft pastels and just a few Kremer handmade soft pastels. I've just bought a beautiful four tray wooden pastel box so I'm sorting my collection out tonight so that I don't have to keep opening separate boxes! Yes, they are messy but they are so expressive too. I just keep cleaning my hands with a damp kitchen cloth. :)

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  7. Carrie Waller Watercolors23 June 2011 at 17:21

    Very lovely colors. You've created such a serene scene, makes you want to visit your country side:)

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  8. jsicignano2.blogspot.com23 June 2011 at 20:34

    Beautiful atmospheric quality . Love the colors and the sky is magnificent. Great job.

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  9. Unknown23 June 2011 at 21:15

    Carrie, thank you for kind comments. I'm very pleased that my painting conveyed a feeling of serenity and the beautiful countryside around me :)

    Joan - thank you for stopping by again and your kind comments. Yes, I love painting skies but they can be tricky and it's so easy to overwork them sometimes :)

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  10. Im Zweiten Stock23 June 2011 at 23:51

    You've captured the mood very well. The picture has become very expressive. Beautiful.
    Elsbeth

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  11. Unknown24 June 2011 at 00:48

    Hi, Elsbeth. Thank you for dropping by again and for your lovely comments. They are very much appreciated :)

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  12. Barbra Joan24 June 2011 at 17:45

    Sure , I love the art box, but I love Tom even more !!! One of mine , Jenny is just like him.. BJ

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  13. Unknown24 June 2011 at 18:02

    Hi BJ. Tom is great he's the most affectionate cat ever, He's eleven human years old soon - but he still fights and catches mice - he's irreplacable!

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  14. Anonymous24 June 2011 at 19:27

    Thank you Michael. That's a pretty pastel box. Useful that it has three low.

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  15. Unknown24 June 2011 at 19:31

    You're welcome, Renske. Yes it is very nicely made and I got it at a good price online too:)

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  16. Unknown25 June 2011 at 12:23

    Slowly catching up on visiting blogger friends - sorry for the delay.

    I really like this pastel Michael. You have really captured the Cambridgeshire light perfectly.

    Congrats on the oil paintings. Glad you are enjoying them. Too slow for me (lol)

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  17. Unknown25 June 2011 at 13:43

    Hi Sue, nice to see you back! Thank you for your kind comments on the pastel and oils. I'm an impatient painter (and person), which is why I love watercolours and other more immediate media, but working with oils has made me slow down a little :)

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